October 6, 2026
We all need a helping hand now and then. The volunteer tax help programs VITA and TCE do that each tax season for those who can’t afford to pay a professional preparer.
BLOG POSTS
Some taxpayers intentionally push the filing envelope. Others simply make claims that have long caught the IRS’ eye. Here are 11 instances that could be red flags for a tax auditor.
The IRS has long sought the ability to regulate certain paid tax preparers. A new GAO report supports that effort, which it says can protect taxpayers and ensure integrity the filing system.
The longest-ever government shutdown mainly affected Department of Homeland Security agencies, including airport security check staff. As it appears to finally be winding down, Tax Day for affected federal workers is pushed from April 15 to May 15.
April brings not only spring showers for thirsty flowers, but also several tax tasks. Here are six April tax moves to consider.
This current father and son vehicular bonding won’t pass Wyoming’s new vehicle transfer tax exemption muster. But one day, dad can give (or sell) the car tax-free to the licensed young driver thanks to a new Cowboy State sales and use tax break.
Celebrating a birthday is fun. It also can mean tax tasks for older partiers who must take a required minimum distribution, or RMD, from a tax-deferred retirement account. One of those deadlines is April 1.
The IRS apparently messed up its numbers when it came to Direct File’s costs. A new TIGTA report says the agency overestimated its free tax prep and filing option’s 2025 fiscal expenses by $45 million.
Taxes and You
We all know Benjamin Franklin’s observation that death and taxes are the only two certainties. But what Ben didn’t note was just how much taxes affect us while we’re enjoying our lives. Taxes are a consideration from the day your parents gaze down lovingly at you in your crib, and continue until they converge in Franklin’s famous quote.
Don’t Mess With Taxes, the award-winning blog from tax journalist and author Kay Bell, will help you deal with the many taxes you’ll encounter during that long and happy process, hopefully making taxes less, well, taxing throughout your lifetime.
About Don't Mess With Taxes
Don’t Mess With Taxes is a tax blog written by journalist and author Kay Bell. Although Kay is not a tax professional – she doesn’t prepare taxes for clients for a living – her experience in Washington, D.C., first as a staff member of the tax-writing U.S. House Ways and Means committee and then in the government relations offices for two major Fortune 100 companies, has provided her valuable insight into the tax process. Based on her experiences and continuing tax education, Kay shares her tax observations, tips, and commentary in Don’t Mess With Taxes.
Simplify Your Taxes, Maximize Your Savings
Your Comprehensive Tax Blog
Taxes have been a part of your life since your parents welcomed you into this world. From that beginning as a spanking new tax break for mom and dad, taxes have had an important role in all your major life events, from getting a job, saying “I do,” buying and selling homes, having kids of your own, and even retiring.
Yes, the involvement of the Internal Revenue Service is not welcome when Uncle Sam is collecting your money. But in many ways, the tax code can be your best friend. You just need to know how it applies to your personal circumstances so you can take advantage of it. This comprehensive tax blog, Don’t Mess With Taxes, is here to help you do just that!
While the IRS appeals a federal court ruling on tax penalties collected during the COVID pandemic, filers who paid them need to go ahead and file for possible tax refunds by July 10.
House fans can help, but an operational air conditioner is better. Federal tax breaks used to help pay for some energy efficient residential HVAC systems. Now that Uncle Sam’s tax credits are gone, some states are stepping in to help their residents chill, literally and economically.
A new International Olympic Committee $140 million fund will dispense grants of up to $10,000 to eligible athletes. Added money shouldn’t pose a tax problem for many U.S. Olympians, thanks to a 2016 tax law change.
Some IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers will be open one final Saturday on June 27. The offices won’t have a flashy “Open” sign, but agents will welcome taxpayers who can’t make weekday meetings.
Blog Posts
The More Tax Posts tab at the top of this page will take you to, well, more tax posts. You also can search below for a tax topic.
November 6, 2026
You don’t need to take a hot-air balloon ride to see that that inflation also…
TO WRAP UP 2026
It’s over! With October’s extended filing deadline behind us, it is now time to focus on year-end moves to reduce your 2026 tax bill.
You’ll find ways to do just that on the Tax Tips page (see the More Tax Posts drop-down menu at the top of the blog), as well as the separate tax tip pages for each month, notably October through December. If you’re on the Tax Tips page, you’ll find a monthly list at the end of this column. If you’re on another blog page, you can head straight to the October tips; at the bottom of that tips page you’ll find links to all the other 11 months’ collections of tax advice.
Not to spoil what you’ll find in that tax advice, but it does cover such things as tax deductions for charitable donations, investment moves that could reduce tax due, and ways to max out your tax-favored retirement savings.
Finally, as the year winds down, things get hectic. There are lots of other things to occupy our time, like the much more fun upcoming holidays. But don’t lose sight of taxes, since timing is key. To be of use, most tax moves must be made by the end of the tax year. That’s Thursday, Dec. 31, which also is the last business day of the year.
So that you don’t miss that final tax year deadline, also keep an eye on the countdown clock below. It will keep you on top of just how much time is left to make important, tax-saving moves. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)